Appliance for heating systems



Aug. 3, 1937.

S. JENCICK ET AL APPLIANCE FOR HEATING SYSTEMS Filed 001:.-19, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5 mm m T c E N mu m VNM W N E u I J c A 4 NS 4 fi 5L n n v E a 5 H 0 M v 4 .v m Y z: A. B u a B 3 k 9 0 b. w 2 8 I H 8 5 6 7 h 3 2 $2 I 5 I 7 44 34 n ad 2:: 1 .11 H V 2 4 l 1 \ll 2 343% 1 2 \ll 2 6 APPLIANCE FOR H-EATING SYSTEMS Filed Oct. 19, 1934v 2 Sheeis-Sheet 2 .1 I INVENTORS. V 5' STEpuzw Jaws/elm Hanan L, Suave/nan.

BY M W ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNITED STATES APPLIANCE FOR. HEATING SYSTEMS Stephen Jencick and Homer L. Schneider,

Chagrin Falls, Ohio Application October 19, 1934, Serial No. 749,004 4 Claims. (01. 237-,68)

This invention relates to the art of heating systems and may be applied to a heating system employing either steam or vapor.

Heretofore, in either of the systems just referred to, there has been experienced considerable difilculty because of the presence of air in the system. This has caused what may be known as an air-lock which has prevented efiicient operation of the system. In order to get rid of this Ill air in the pipe line so as to break this air-locked or air-bound condition, it has been common practice to rely upon an increase in temperature in the system. This, however, has obviously involved additional cost of fuel and also decreased efficiency in the operation of the system. The

presence of air in the system retards the raising of the temperature and prevents proper regulation and control of the same.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means for automatically and directly relieving this objectionable air condition in the heating system and for producing the proper degree of vacuum therein for maximum efliciency.

Another object is to devise such a system in which the air condition is relieved by a means other than by increasing the temperature which has heretofore been relied upon for this purpose. Accordingly, this inventioncontemplates an automatic control means whose actuation is governed by the presence of air in the system for relieving such air condition.

Another object is to combine with our aircontrolled means an auxiliary temperature-controlled means so as to co-ordinate with each other in relieving the air condition in the system; and also to construct sucha combinedcontrol device in the form of a self-contained unit which may be readily applied as an attachment to a system already installed.

A further object is to devise such an attachment which can be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low price and which is dependable and not apt to get out of order. I

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and claims: when considered. together with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of our present improved device; a

Fig. 2 is a. vertical, longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2- 2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is an end view of our device;

Fig. 4 is a detail view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 illustrates the mannerin which our device is assembled as part of an otherwise conventional heating system.

'It is to be understood that the present disclosure is merely for purposes of illustration and that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as herein set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying illustrations, the present device is shown installed in a conventional form of heating system which-is indicated only partially but which will be fully and clearly understood by those who are familiar with the art of heating systems. In this system, the boiler I has the main distributing pipe line 2 which is connected with the individual radiators 3 through the risers 4. The return pipe 5 also has connections to the other side of the radiators 3. As indicated in Fig. 5, the present device is connected to the return pipe 5 at a point in the basement. Thus, one of these devices may be employed in connection with the heating system of an entire building, or individual devices may be provided for separate heating systems that heat different sections of a building.

Our present improved unit has a threaded projectionv 6 for connection to the joint member I in the return pipe 5. The projection 6 is integral with the head 8 of the housing of the device and the other part 9 of the housing is secured thereto by means of the screw bolts II] which engage the overlying flanges 8 and 9 respectively. The flange 3 terminates in the right-angular flange 8*.

Between the flanges 8 and 9 there is clamped the edge portion of the flexible diaphragm II which is mounted at its center in the grooved member I2. The part I 2 of the grooved member I2 may be formed separately from the other part I 2 and maintained in assembly by the nut member I2 which is threaded onto the projection I3 as a matter of convenience in assembling the diaphragm II. The member I 2 has an axially disposed projection I3 provided with a passage I4 communicating at its one end with the valve chamber within'which the ball valve I5 is housed for seating engagement with the end of passage It for closing the same, or for permitting the same to be open. This valve chamber opens into the space within the housing 9, that is, on the right-hand side of diaphragm II, as viewed in Fig. '2. These parts are so constructed and arranged that the diaphragm I I may be moved back and forth and air forced through the passage I4 and the communicating valve chamber and dispelled out through the apertures H5 in the housing wall 9.

r being provided between the ring The force with which the air is withdrawn is not suificient to withdraw the comparatively small quantity of water of condensation from the return pipe. Furthermore, this device is so located and arranged as to minimize this danger, as indicated in Fig. 5, and further precaution may be provided if deemed necessary, as for instance the inclusion of a trap at this point.

Suitable means is provided for maintaining the ball valve l5 within its chamber, as for instance, the plug I5 which has its edge slotted so as to always permit passage therethrough as these slots will not be closed by ball I 5.

Upon the left-hand side ofthe diaphragm H, as viewed in Fig. 2, the coil spring I1 is mounted co-axially with respect to the projection l3 and abuts at its one end against the nut member |2. The other end of spring bears against the valve disk l9 which is adapted to close the central opening 20 in the web or wall 2| formed integral with the head member 8. The disk l9 has its edge notched, as indicated at W and has a centrally disposed projection for centering engagement within the end of spring IT. The opening 29 is comparatively small and may be effectively closed by engagement of the disk |9 thereover under pressure of spring Upon release of the disk l9, there will be a passage through the opening 20 and around the notched edge of disk |9 to the chamber between the head 8 and the diaphragm At the other or left-hand side of opening 20, there is a chamber 22 formed in the head, this chamber having communication with the return pipe 5 through the projection 6 and also with the chamber 23.

A flexible diaphragm 24 extends across the top of chamber 23 and is secured at its center portion to the lower end of rod 25, while the edge of diaphragm 24 is secured in an air-tight manner to the wall of the auxiliary housing 26. This securing means consists of a screw-threaded ring 21 which holds the edge of the diaphragm in engagement with the integral flange 28, a gasket and the diaphragm, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The other end of rod 25 has the abutment 29 for one end of coil spring 30 which at its other end abuts an aper tured disk 3| having screw-threaded engagement with the wall of the housing 26. The central portion of the disk or ring 3| is upturned about the aperture therethrough and the spring 36 engages thereabout for centering the same. The ring 3| may be adjusted in order to vary the tension of spring 30 and any suitable means may be provided for locking the ring 3| in set position.

The upper end of the rod 25 is provided with the electric insulation disk 32 which is adapted to engage the electric switch member 33 for closing an electric circuit with the companion contact 34. The member 33 is in the form of a spring finger mounted on the electric terminal 35 which in turn is mounted in the top 36 of electric insulation which has screw-threaded engagement with the upper end of the chamber wall 26 for closing the same. The contact 34 is part of the electric terminal 31 which is also mounted in the top 36.

The terminals 35 and 31 are in the circuit 38 which is connected to the main electric supply line and includes also the small electric motor 39, the electric terminal 46 and the thermostatically controlled means for automatically opening and closing the circuit through the terminal 40. This terminal is mounted in electric insulation in the wall of the housing 9 and has a contact member 4| extending therefrom for co-operation with the bi-metallic thermo-couple 42 which is adapted to engage the contact 4| for closing the circuit, the one end of the couple 42 being connected with the circuit 38. This thermo-couple is mounted upon electric insulation 42* within the housing 9 and its upper end extends through an opening 43 in the wall of the housing.

The motor 39 is mounted in one end of the housing 9 by means of the clamps 44 and is adapted to rotate the worm 45 on the shaft 46 which has bearing at its other end in the wall of the housing 9. The worm 45 meshes with the gear 4'! which is mounted in the housing 9 and which operates the rod 48 through the crank connection 49. The other end of rod 48 is pivotally connected to the grooved member |2 for operating the diaphragm I.

It will be observed that the switch at the terminal 49 will be opened or closed according to the temperature produced by the heating system and there may be placed a radiator in the basement of the building so that the thermo-control means may respond to a temperature corresponding with that of the main part of the building. If there be a difference between the temperatures of the basement and the remainder of the building, this difference may be taken into account and the thermo-couple may be adjusted accordingly so as to render the same operatable with respect to the temperature desired for the main part of the building. Or, if so desired, the thermo-couple and the switch controlled thereby may be located elsewhere in the building but still in the circuit 38.

It will also be observed that the switch 33-34 is adapted to be opened or closed according to the absence or presence of air in the pipe line. That is, if there be air in the line and hence in the chamber 23, the spring 30 will be permitted to close this switch; but if there be a vacuum in the line, or an absence of air, the force of this vacuum will overcome the force of the spring and will cause this switch to be opened, through the operation of diaphragm 24 and the parts associated therewith.

The efiect of both switches being closed is to operate the motor 39 which causes movement of the diaphragm back and forth with a pump action to draw air from the pipe line and from the chamber 23. As the diaphragm H is drawn towards the right (Fig. 2), the valve disk l9 will be raised from its seat and air will be drawn past the same while the valve l5 remains closed upon its seat so as to close the passage M. Then as the diaphragm H is forced towards the left, (Fig. 2), the valve disk l9 will be closed and held closed and the air which has been drawn into the chamber between the head 6 and diaphragm II, will be forced through the passage i4 and past the valve l5 which is thereby forced open.

Thus, it will be seen that with air in the pipe line, the circuit will be closed through the motor 39, assuming that the presence of air in the line has caused such lowering of the temperature as to effect a closing of the switch by the thermostatic control means. It is to be understood that the thermo-couple is so constructed and arranged that a decrease in temperature below a predetermined point, will cause the switch to be closed, and an increase in temperature above the predetermined point, will cause this switch to be opened. Assuming both the air-controlled and thermo-controlled switches to be closed, the moestablished will cause the switch 33-34 to open and the motor 39 to stop With the fair-bound or air-locked condition in the system thus removed,jthe heatsup'plied from the boiler may be effective in producing the desired temperature throughout the system.

If the temperature in the system should at any time rise to a point beyond that for which the thermostat is set and before the air has been removed from the system to the point of automatically opening the switch 3334, the circuit will be automatically broken by the thermostat so as to stop the motor and thereby prevent any further vacuum from being formed in the system. And if the temperature of the system should still remain above the predetermined point when the switch 33-34 might be closed by the presence of air in the system, the motor 39 could not begin to operate until the temperature should fall below the predetermined point for which the thermocouple is set.

Thus, with our device,,the conditions existing in the heating system at any given time with respect to temperature and presence or absence of air in the system, are regulated automatically and individually. No longer is it necessary to rely upon increased temperature to overcome the effect of air in the system and to thereby require an increased consumption of fuel, as has heretofore been necessary. As a result, the: obtaining and maintaining of the desired temperature may be accomplished with a decided saving in fuel as compared with the prior practice; and furthermore, the present device renders the system more conducive to obtaining and maintaining any desired degree of temperature, whereby there is realized a decided acceleration in the speed with which the desired temperature may be obtained.

Therefore, the segregation of the factors of temperature control and regulation of the air or vacuum condition results in an increased efiiciency in the operation of the heating system and also a reduction in cost of suchoperation.

This device is in the form of a unitary attachment which can be manufactured and sold as such and applied to any heating system which has already been installed. Also, the cost of this device is comparatively low.

What we claim is:

1. In the art of the class described, a unitary attachment adapted to be connected to the return pipe of a heating system, said attachment comprising a housing and a reciprocatable diaphragm arranged within said housing and dividing the same into forward and rearward compartments, said housing having means of connecting said forward compartment to the return pipe, said connecting means constituting the only means of connection for said attachment, valve means actuated by said reciprocatable diaphragm for permitting air to be withdrawn from the pipe line into said forward compartment upon movement of said reciprocatable means in one direction and to be discharged to said rearward compartment upon movement of said reciprocatable diaphragm in the other direction, andmeans controlled by the presence of air in the system and by the temperature of the system for operating said reciprocatable diaphragm, said air control means and temperature control means forming a part of T 2. In the art ofzthe class described,'a unitary attachment adapted to be turn pipe of a: heating system, said attachment being carried by and said unitary attachment.

connected to the recomprising a housing and a reciprocatable means arranged within said housing and dividing the same into forward and rearward compartments,

said housing having means of connecting said forward compartmentto the'return pipe, said connecting means constituting the only means of connection for said attachment, valve means actuated by said reciprocatable means for permitting air to be withdrawn from the pipe line into said forward compartment upon movement of said reciprocatable means in one direction and to be discharged to said rearward compartment upon movement of said reciprocatable means in the other direction, said attachment comprising also an auxiliary housing forming part thereof and having communication with the return pipe and adapted for communication with said forward compartment, means within said auxiliary housing and controlled by the presence of air therewithin for effecting operation of said reciprocatable means, and thermo-responsive means coordinated with said air responsive means in controlling the operation of said reciprocating means, said thermo-responsive means being carried by said first-named housing.

3. In the art of the class described, a unitary attachment adapted to be connected to'the return pipe of a heating system, said attachment comprising a housing and a reciprocatable flexible diaphragm arranged within said housing and dividing the same into forward and rearward compartments, a one-way valve connection between the return pipe and said forward compartment and a one-way valve connection between the forward and rearward compartments, said valve connections being so arranged that air may be withdrawn from the return pipe into the forward compartment by movement of said diaphragm in one direction, and then discharged from the forward compartment to the rearward compartment by movement of the diaphragm in the other direction, means for reciprocating said diaphragm, said attachment comprising also an auxiliary housing forming part thereof and having communication with the return pipe and adapted for communication with said forward compartment, means within said auxiliary housing including a flexible diaphragm responsive to the presence or absence of air in said auxiliary housing for automatically controlling the operation of said reciprocating means, and a thermoresponsive means carried by said first-named housing and co-ordinated with said air-responsive means in controlling the operation of said reciprocating means.

attachment adapted to be connected to the return pipe of a heating system, said attachment comprising a housing and a reciprocatable, flexible diaphragm arranged within said housing and dividing the same into forward and rearward compartments, a one-way valve connection between the return pipe and said forward compartment and a one-way valve connection between the forward and rearward compartments, said valve connections being so arranged that air may be withdrawn from the return pipe into the forward compartment by movement of said diaphragm in one direction, and then discharged from the forward compartment to the rearward compartment by movement of the diaphragm in the other direction, means for reciprocating said diaphragm, and a thermo-responsive means carried by said housing for controlling the operation of said reciprocating means, said attachment comprising also an auxiliary housing forming part thereof and having communication with the return pipe and with said forward compartment, and means within said auxiliary housing including a flexible diaphragm responsive to the presence or absence of air in said auxiliary housing for co-ordinating with said thermo-responsive means in controlling the operation of said reciprocating means, said reciprocating means including an electric motor carried by said first-named housing, and said coordinated control means including an electric circuit therefor with switches carried by said housings and adapted to be opened and closed by said thermo-responsive and air-responsive means.

STEPHEN J ENCICK. HOMER L. SCHNEIDER. 

